Membrane interface for the direct coupling of pyrolysis and mass spectrometry

A new membrane interface, based on the work published on membrane introduction mass spectrometry, is developed and used to couple pyrolysis and mass spectrometry. The type of membrane used was a silicon membrane. The interface was used to directly couple a pyrolysis unit and an ion-trap mass spectrometer. The system was tested with Kraton 1107, an isoprene-styrene co-polymer. It proved linear over the range 10–1000 mg l−1, for each of the four compounds, i.e. isoprene, styrene and two isomers of limonene, present in the pyrolysate. Furthermore, the system demonstrated selectivity, i.e. higher permeation rate towards the more volatile and non-polar compounds. Overall the system showed remarkable ease of use and reproducibility. Therefore, this system can be coupled easily to other hyphenated techniques.